Graduating from your degree can bring a wave of emotions. From the feelings of triumph and success to the uncertainty of the future, it's this sudden break that allows you to question the journey. Asking the important questions of what her degree meant and what she could achieve after it, Anniemae Goldring was left with a very tough conversation: she had this piece of paper announcing her skills but she didn't know how to truly apply it.

Wanting hands-on opportunities to grow in the industry and experience it from the inside-out, Anniemae looked into Collarts and found Entertainment Management was the path she'd been searching for. Discussing her choice to complete a second degree, we caught up with Anniemae to chat about life at Collarts and the decision to continue studying post-degree from a major university.

Hi Anniemae, thanks for chatting with me! Tell me a little bit about yourself and what you’re passionate about. I moved to Melbourne in early 2015 to study a Communication degree. My main driving force to make the move was my enormous love for live music and a strong sense of pride in supporting establishing bands. After doing super basic music promotional stuff in my hometown of Mildura, I quickly fell in love with seeing the way a music scene can provide a sense of belonging to so many diverse individuals. It was like this whole new level of commonality I had never encountered before.

Continuing your studies at Collarts, what drew you to study Entertainment Management? While I learned a tremendous amount of things in my time at my previous university, upon graduating, I felt that while I now had the knowledge of how to create content, I had little knowledge in how to apply it—specifically within an entertainment industry setting. During my time studying my previous course, I had sought out different internship opportunities. The two internships which resulted in 6-8 month roles gave me an emphasised hands-on experience in both music editorial and artist management positions. This taste for the entertainment industry's inner-workings motivated me to want to learn skills I can actually use.

"The amount of relevant opportunity provided to students at Collarts is phenomenal and was one of the main things which motivated me to want to study here. In contrast to my previous university, by Week 7 I had found myself landing two volunteer roles... that I didn’t have to tiresomely find on my own."

It sounds like getting hands-on experience is really important to you. How has your time at Collarts contrasted your old university? The amount of relevant opportunity provided to students at Collarts is phenomenal and was one of the main things which motivated me to want to study here. In contrast to my previous university, by Week 7 I had found myself landing (initially) two volunteer roles and feeling a little surreal at the thought of being able to have access to such opportunities that I didn’t have to tiresomely find on my own. Having the backing of teachers with these opportunities was something I valued immensely too, and receiving feedback conveyed from industry figures provided me with a greater sense of direction and value of experience.

I heard you recently worked at Download Festival in a paid role. How did this come about and what inspired you to put yourself out there? Off the back of sneaking my way into a vollie spot at Between the Bays, I quickly jumped at the opportunity to volunteer at Download Festival... the chance to volunteer at Australia’s debut Download Festival after its immense international success seemed surreal. My teacher, Katy, approached me with the offer of not only getting to volunteer but actually entering a paid role. I was so excited at the thought of getting to get more relevant experience alongside the amount I am able to learn. My priority is always going to be cemented in learning and helping, and I believe it keeps me grounded and helps me realise how artists pursue their art.

"While it’s only Trimester 1, it is surprising the level of connection I feel at Collarts... I truly feel connected again after years of being one out of however many thousands of students."

Totally. Although you’re only in Trimester 1, do you feel connected to the Collarts community? While it’s only Trimester 1, it is surprising the level of connection I feel at Collarts. Due to the size of the campus and the extensive campus events, I found myself quickly surrounded by familiar faces. The Industry Bus Tour that the Entertainment Management course ran was pretty much the best and non-forceful icebreaker I have ever experienced, and it was just super comforting to feel truly connected again after years of being one out of however many thousands of students. The strongest connections I have made come from like-minded minded individuals just earnestly wanting to make the best of their time here and value the stuff we get to learn.

That's awesome. Why did you decide to follow through with a second degree? After concluding my first degree I found still had a thirst for hands-on knowledge that I knew I needed to keep pursuing tha. While I looked into options of throwing myself into a Masters degree, realistically I thought getting more hands-on experience first would strengthen my passion more than a Masters ever could. I wanted the practicality that comes with the Applied Business (Entertainment Management) and I felt that it would enable me to continue to pursue my goals of working in the music industry. Recognition of prior learning was also a huge advantage before starting my second degree.

Of course. Who inspires you in the industry? Prior to entering my studies at Collarts, at my first internship with Speaker TV. The time I spent interning under Sarah Guppy really helped shape my understanding of the industry. Sarah was probably the first person in the entertainment field I ever encountered and learned from, and without her and Monique Myintoo’s support and kindness in my first internship I really don’t know how my passion would have continued to be able to grow. Across my time studying, it’s earnestly culmination of the huge respect I hold for Mon and Sarah and their roles in helping me pursue passions and industry learning—built upon this year by both Katy Richards and Chrissie Vincent who teach me.

All of these power ladies really emphasised to me that with unrelenting strive to carve out, navigate and establish a career for yourself you quickly learn you value. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my time studying and pursuing experience within the creative industries is knowing my worth and not undercutting that, while being able to be open to simultaneously adapt and grow. I can't wait to keep growing here at Collarts.